If you or your child have a passion for music — or even a mild curiosity — there is no better time to seize the day.

While building a successful career as a musician, (and amassing a mighty social media following), rising violinist Ray Chen has had to stay sharp. And while visiting Chicago for a series of performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chen showed WFMT audiences that being stage-ready is as easy as 1,2,3!

Grammy-nominated Jory Vinikour shares his advice for how to capture the magic of the harpsichord on the piano.

World-renowned Avi Avital gives us an introduction to the mandolin, explains what makes his instrument so special, and shares his unique journey to becoming a professional mandolin player.

Have you ever wondered how opera singers are able to sing so many notes so easily? Mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux shares her secrets to singing coloratura.

Did you know that bagpipes aren’t from Ireland or Scotland, but the Middle East? Discover more about this fascinating instrument with piper Dave Johnston.

Learn about the lute from Nigel North, one of the world’s most acclaimed lutenists, who has been at the forefront of reviving music that once languished on library shelves.

Kirill Gerstein described the experience of performing as a soloist with a major orchestra like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as nothing short of “magical.” But how do you practice a concerto without an orchestra? Gerstein shares his tips.

“Surprisingly, people will come up to me after [concerts] and say, ‘Oh that sounds like a banjo! That sounds like a harp! That sounds like a guitar!’”

When four-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter visited the WFMT studios, she shared what she thinks every musician should know that you can’t learn in school.

When pianist Yekwon Sunwoo first entered the Van Cliburn Piano Competition in 2013, he was an alternate. This year, he took home the gold.

“A choir is like any instrument. But because it’s people, a choir is an instrument that varies far more than a string orchestra would vary, for example, or an organ.”

Conductor Manfred Honeck shared one of his favorite quotes that guides his artistic work, and it just might change the way you think about classical music.

“It’s quite fun to say this, but I actually hate competitions. I really can’t stand them,” Paul Lewis. His strong dislike of competitions may seem dissonant with his current role as co-artistic director of the Leeds International Piano Competition.

As classical music and opera evolve into the 21st century, so must musicians. Star soprano Renée Fleming explains what every young singer should do.

Many people love to sing. Not everyone can sing well. But what if you could reprogram your brain to help you sing better?

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is not only one of the world’s most renowned musicians; he’s also a passionate advocate for using the power of music to create community.

Grammy Award-winning violinist Gil Shaham made his professional debut at age 10, an age when most are hardly even thinking about professional work of any kind.

Paul O’Dette is one of the most sought-after lute players in the world. In addition to being an active soloist, O’Dette is the co-artistic director of the Boston Early Music Festival, teaches at the Eastman School of Music, and records extensively, with credits on over 120 albums. His recording of Charpentier’s La Descente d’Orphée aux Enfer won the 2015 Grammy for Best Opera Recording. …